Real Madrid: The top 5 matches of the 2010’s

2. Barcelona Vs Real Madrid 1-2 (La Liga 2012)

La Liga title was on the line and Real Madrid was finally in a great position to take the league title after 3 years of consecutive wins for Barcelona. It was a do or die game for Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona a loss meant Catalan side is technically out of the league race. Mourinho had already lost the Clasico earlier at the Bernabeu even after Karim Benzema scored what was the fastest goal in the Clasico history.

Mourinho started with his preferred Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira double pivot in midfield with Ozil playing behind Karim Benzema upfront with Di Maria and Ronaldo out wide. Real Madrid started off well as Ronaldo forced Victor Valdes into a good save from Mesut Ozil corner in the 4th minute. Just a few minutes later Los Blancos had a nervy moment as Pepe made a disastrous pass to Ramos under pressure which was intercepted by Dani Alves leaving him one on one with Iker Casillas. Casillas was quick to charge and save the centre back duo blushes.

Real Madrid finally scored from a corner as Victor Valdes failed to misjudged the Di Maria corner and was caught in two minds whether to catch the ball or stay back. Which ended up in Valdes saving initial header from Pepe but didn’t buy Puyol enough time to clear it as the Spanish centre back was caught guarding the ball two yards from his goal. Sami Khedira became the unlikely hero as he tucked the ball into the goal between Puyol’s legs.

Barcelona created plenty of chances later but failed to capitalize. Lionel Messi set Xavi up for a one on one which the Spanish Midfielder failed to tuck home. Guardiola had to respond and brought Alexis Sanchez on and it worked as the substitute scored just after two minutes of coming on. Chilean forward tucked home after a lot of rebounds and saves from Iker Casillas as Real Madrid’s shaky defense was rattled by a Leo Messi run. Camp Nou erupted in joy and hauntings of past drubbings were coming back into Real Madrid players’ minds.

But Real Madrid roared back into the lead with an iconic goal and celebration from none other than Cristiano Ronaldo. Just two minutes after Alexis’ equalizer, Mesut Ozil found himself in a great position down the right wing with both Benzema and our Dark Invader making a run behind defenders’ back. Ozil put Ronaldo through who took just one touch make enough angle for him to put the ball safely in the back of the net. After that it was just Cristiano silencing the 99000 strong crowd of Camp Nou, silencing the crowd which abused him throughout the game.

“Calma Calma, Estoy Aqui” or “Calm down, Calm down, I am here”. Real Madrid was finally here, Cristiano Ronaldo was finally here, for there were bigger things to come and they all kickstarted from this very moment. If that Copa Del Rey victory set up the grounds for Real Madrid’s future dominance this victory put the foot on the accelerator. People may not be fond of Jose Mourinho’s tenure at Real Madrid but each season he helped the side improve and transform them into the Champions league monster that they become. Yes, the third season was a disaster but it still helped Real Madrid a lot going forward. Jose Mourinho planted the seeds of which Don Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane reaped fruits.